Cessna SkyCatcher Archives - Golf Hotel Whiskey

Are low-cost light sport aircraft only a dream?

Recently, both AVweb and the AOPA Pilot Blog reported the announcement from Cessna that they can no longer hold down the cost of the Skycatcher, their light sport aircraft (LSA) – meaning that prices in 2012 will rise to $149,900 (but I should add that many previous “options” will become standard features). Alton K. Marsh’s AOPA Pilot Blog article noted that the Skycatcher had started out at $110,000 and then the price rose to $115,000 but even at these prices, the aircraft was still selling at below cost. Alton also pointed out that the dream of having an LSA that would start at $20,000 for the basic option and rise no higher than $60,000 once its all “tricked out” appears to be a dream as the lowest priced LSA now starts at the $80k level.

Meanwhile, Paul Bertorelli in AVweb pointed out that Cessna has now gone from being middle of the pack pricewise, to almost near the top on base price. On the other hand, Paul has also pointed out that Cessna has always been profitable and has managed to keep its dealer network. Given how many aircraft makers have come and gone, its in the interest of aircraft buyers that Cessna remain profitable and keeps a strong network of dealers.

However, Paul also recalled how he had received an email from an engineer working in general aviation who was trying to understand why new aircraft prices have exceeded the rate of inflation. For example: A new Skyhawk cost $27,667 (typically equipped) in 1976 which adjusts to $105,000 in 2011 dollars but a new Skyhawk will now sell for more than $300,000.

Of course, glass cockpits and other fancy gadgets can account for some of the price rise but Paul then ended his post by pointing out that:

Cessna is the only LSA manufacturer well established with manufacturing in China. If a company with Cessna’s economy of scale and marketing acumen can’t make an LSA more affordable by building it in China, the notion of low-cost aircraft may very well be the myth that many people think it is…

Sadly for many pilots or would-be aircraft owners, both Paul and Alton are probably right.

A sneak peek at Cessna’s Skycatcher

Cessna’s new 162 Skycatcher is now rolling out of the assembly hangar in Wichita Kansas and Robert Mark, the editor of the Jetwhine blog, recently got a sneak peek at the new aircraft. Rob first noted that Cessna expects to deliver about 50 of these Special Light Sport Aircraft (SLSA) aircraft by the end of the year plus they have orders for another thousand.

He then pointed out that what’s great about the new Skycatcher is the fact that its the first new Cessna-designed true training aircraft since the Cessna 150/152 series was developed about four decades ago. Since there has been no good alternative to the increasingly-aged 150/152 fleet, flight schools have been forced to start using C172s for primary training and this significantly elevates the cost of learning how to fly.

Rob also wrote in considerable detail his experience taking one up for a spin and he noted all of the aircraft’s many strengths and advantages along with one of its biggest drawbacks: Cost. According to Rob, the Skycatcher lists for US$112,500 and when an MFD, the intercom and a primer is added, the total is closer to US$125,000. And while he noted that Cessna Finance is available and that Yingling Aviation rents their Skycatcher for under US$100 per hour (a price that many student pilots may find inviting), he also added that:

Much to the chagrin of some, the Skycatcher is never going to cost $45, 000, or rent for $35 an hour, but perhaps only in comparison to other aircraft. At our flying club in Chicago, the Piper Archer is $165 an hour and the Cirrus and Diamond rent out at $180 so under a hundred looks pretty good for a new airplane, I think.

Moreover and at the end of his post, Rob wrote that:

I also believe that learning in an airplane with simple electronics like the Skycatcher will shorten the total training to earn a license and hence the total cost considerably from say, learning from scratch in a Cirrus. And then, of course, as my instructor Jeremy Schrag said, “The 162 might be small, but the fun factor is big!” I agree. We forget about the fun part too much these days. The Skycatcher will help any pilot remember.

A very good point indeed.

Cessna SkyCatcher Light Sport Aircraft update

Cessna has recently announced that its new Model 162 SkyCatcher Light Sport Aircraft is now in compliance with ASTM International standards for Light Sport Aircraft (LSA). Hence, deliveries will likely begin before the end of the year. For those of you not familiar with the new design, the Model 162 SkyCatcher is a two-place, high-wing and single-engine piston Light Sport Aircraft aircraft which is defined in the USA as an aircraft with a gross weight that is under 1,320 pounds (600 kg) and has a top speed of not more than 120 knots.

As mentioned in a previous post, obtaining a Sport Pilot License is more affordable than obtaining a regular private pilot license as less training is required and this can save a student as much as US$3,000 – 5,000 in training costs. In fact, Cessna’s CEO Jack Pelton predicts that:

Once these airplanes enter service, they will act as a catalyst for increased pilot starts. They will significantly change the economics of ownership and operation for flight schools, aircraft renters and aircraft owners, and will benefit the entire GA community.

The SkyCatcher can reach speeds of up to 118 knots, will have a maximum range of 470 nautical miles and will feature a Garmin G300 avionics system. The aircraft will also be capable of Visual Flight Rules/Day/Night operations. Thus, Pelton is right about the potential of the plane to give general aviation a much needed boost. And despite the economy and the downturn in the market for general aviation aircraft, Cessna is already reporting more than 1,000 orders for the aircraft – a good sign for the future of general aviation.